One lucky dog receives enough donations for surgery

November 11, 2012

Recently, Ashley Moran has been raising money for the abandoned dog. The canine, who now goes by "Lucky," recently had to have a leg amputated due to a gunshot wound which left Lucky's leg crippled and bone and bullet fragments in his leg and chest.

However, Moran is a full-time student and a part-time page at the Prendergast Library. Despite her desire to rescue Lucky, it simply was not within her financial means to pay for Lucky's rehabilitation by herself.

Moran reached out to the community, asking residents to donate what they could to help pay for Lucky's rehabilitation. Not only did Lucky need to have his leg amputated, he also needed shelter, food, toys, medications and potentially a wheelchair designed for dogs with amputated limbs.

Graciously, the community responded. Within one week of asking the community to help, Moran was able to raise $600 to pay for Lucky's surgery and rehabilitation.

"As it turns out, Lucky does not need a special handicap attachment to walk like I expected," said Moran. "Since he is only 6 months old and had been injured for a very long time before we found him, he became adjusted to compensate for his injury on his own. After his amputation, he hopped right up and was able to walk almost immediately. It seemed like such a miracle. He really is such a fighter."

All of the money that was raised for Lucky's wheelchair has instead gone toward paying for him to be neutered, his shots, miscellaneous medical expenses, food, treats, toys, rehabilitation and anything else he needs while he recovers at Pick of the Litter in Falconer.

Besides not needing a dog wheelchair to walk post-amputation, Moran has more magnificent news regarding Lucky's recovery: he has been adopted by a local family.

"I wanted to give a special thanks to the woman who brought (Lucky) to us," said Moran. "Her name is Connie Young, and her daughter's name is Sarah. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Fales, the veterinarian who performed Lucky's surgery. And of course, I'd like to acknowledge Pick of the Litter in Falconer for giving Lucky a temporary home."

Moran said that because the community has responded so well to her requests for help, she has set up a "Lucky and Friends" fund. The fund will go to Pick of the Litter to be used to help all of their animals who are in need of surgeries, shots, medications, food, treats, toys and anything else the animals may need until they find a new home. Moran is keeping the fund open until December and will give it to Pick of the Litter as a Christmas donation. Those who are interested in donating to "Lucky and Friends" should contact Moran at 397-6259 or at ashleymoran93@yahoo.com.

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to the community as a whole," said Moran. "I never expected such wonderful feedback - I can't express in words how thankful I am. This really restored my faith in people."